Philippians 2:17 – 18 “But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all for you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.”
The drink offering was the last part of a sacrificial ceremony. Whatever was being sacrificed was placed on the altar, killed, cooked, or prepared in whatever way was appropriate, and finally, wine was poured on top of and around it. It was the finishing touch, the last little bit. The last drop. And Paul gave it gladly.
Paul was willing to give everything he had, sacrificing all for Jesus Christ and for Christianity. He knew that he might die soon, that he might be in that drink offering stage of sacrifice. He had lived his life for Christ. He might be called upon to die for Christ, very soon.
But he was glad for that sacrifice! He truly felt honored to have lived for Christ, and he felt even more honored to be called upon to die for the cause of his Savior. He rejoiced in whatever His Lord called him to do. And he wanted his Philippian readers to rejoice, as well, in a life well-lived.
I must be honest. I’m not sure, if I were standing in Paul’s sandals, that I would have the same brave outlook. I think I would be afraid. I would probably have regrets. Though I would look forward to seeing my Savior face to face, I’m sure I would think of many things that needed to be accomplished first.
But let us learn from Paul’s example! Like Paul, we should live each moment of each day with such commitment to our Savior that we will be perfectly happy to go and see Him, anytime He is ready to take us. When we fall in love with our Lord that much, when we are willing to give whatever it takes to do what He wants, when we are willing to give up even our last little bit for Christ, then . . . then we begin to live. Without regrets. Without excuses.
Wow. I want to live like that.
Dear Father, I want to love You like Paul did. I’ll be honest; I’m not sure I’m there yet. But I want to be. Help me to live a life that pleases You.
Amen
Renae,
What a dear you are…so transparent and real with your readers, yet always challenging us a higher place.
This really spoke to me today – just heard from dr. that I have a bone-scan and x-ray this Friday, so now a bit scared again about what’s going on in my body.
But, believe me, I have been ready for a long, long time to be with Jesus.
And I want every drop of my life until then to be a drink offering to Him.
I love you,
Jlo
Dear Renae,
Not sure why, but my first comment on this post didn’t go through.
Now I feel like I’ve run out of profundity, as you say 🙂
Anyway, this entry touched me today.
I want every last drop of my life to be poured out as a drink offering for Him.
Love,
Jlo